The managing director of Stagecoach's UK bus division, Les Warneford, has announced he is to retire in May 2013.

Warneford, a former bus conductor, is one of the UK bus industry's longest-serving managing directors.

He will be replaced by Robert Montgomery, who is currently service performance director.

Montgomery will now move into a deputy managing director role as part of the group's succession planning.

Sir Brian Souter, Stagecoach group chief executive, said: "Les has played a very significant role in Stagecoach's success.

“He has headed a division which has provided consistently strong operational delivery, the best value fares to customers, huge levels of investment and industry-leading financial performance, as well as an exceptional track-record of passenger growth.

"Robert has spent a decade with Stagecoach and has overseen the strong growth of our bus companies in the south of England, as well as expanding our megabus.com budget coach operation in the UK.

“I am confident he will build on these strong foundations.

“We also have a talented and experienced wider senior management team at our UK Bus division, and a strong network of regional bus companies who have the power and flexibility to run their businesses locally.”

Stagecoach carries around 2.5 million passengers in the UK each year on a fleet of 7,700 buses.